Officer Review Memorandum PA 03/01066/B

## M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Chairman and Members, Planning Committee FROM: Sarah Corlett, Planning Officer REF: PA 03/1066 - creation of skateboard facility and kickabout area, tennis courts, Belgravia Road, Onchan. DATE: December, 2003 ### Review On Written Representations: Consideration Of Approval Granted This application relates to part of the tennis courts located on Belgravia Road but are part of Onchan Pleasure Park, most of which is located to the north west from where the management of the courts is administered along with the other facilities in the park (crazy golf, putting green, etc). Proposed is the use of part of the upper tennis courts for a skateboard facility and the other part of the upper courts as a kickabout/basketball area all for the youths of Onchan. The works associated with these proposals include the installation of a shelter which would be erected in the north western corner of the courts. A new path and access is also proposed to the kickabaout/basketball area along with fencing to separate the two activities. Also shown on the plans are skateboard ramps although the detail of these is not included. The Commissioners had consulted the local police and the local children before proposing this facility and it is supported by both parties. Alternative locations have been suggested by objectors to this scheme and the police would advise that the site is ideal, is where the children want to play and if well-lit would provide a good facility which could help control youth activity in the evenings and at weekends. The Rec, alongside the Commissioners' Offices was proposed; the police suggested to me that this site would not be used. When we considered the application, we resolved that the use of the site as a skateboard facility and kickabout/basketball did not required any formal approval for change from tennis courts as the site is designated as Public Open Space as is the remainder of Onchan Park and within this area, the specific usage of the park is not controlled, in the same way that if the Commissioners wanted to change the bowling green to pitch and putt, we would not expect or want an application for change of use. Some of the Park is multi-functional, for example the stadium is used for stock car racing, go-karting, football and public events such as the Purple Helmets and firework display, none of which is controlled by planning. As such, the decision which was taken was to approve the erection of the fencing and shelter and to note that the change of use would not require planning permission and that the erection of permanent structures may require planning permission depending on their nature. As no details had been submitted, no decision could be taken in this respect. Two residents of Belgravia Road (and the letter is also signed by Mr. Callin) have requested a Review, stating that "our properties are adjacent to the tennis courts and will be adversely affected by this development. A park/residential area is unsuitable for this development and it will greatly reduce the value of our properties. It will be a significant nuisance due to noise, lighting, litter, vandalism etc". It is not clear from this letter whether their concerns relate to the skateboard facility, the basketball, kickabout facilities or simply the erection of the shelter and resultant congregation of people on the site at various times. The Commissioners have indicated that they do not wish to proceed with the facilities on this site. However, as a decision has been taken, it is not possible to withdraw the application. No further letters have been received, which perhaps indicates that the remainder of the residents are aware of the intention not to pursue the development and do not wish to take it further either. However, the application requires a decision notwithstanding the Commissioners' stance. The Commissioners could decide to cease the playing of tennis on the top courts and make the courts available to youngsters, without any need for further permission. I would also suspect that some mobile and temporary skateboard ramps could be erected without the need for planning permission. This facility could thus be created without planning permission but would not have lighting which would enable proper supervision, or proper fencing to separate the basketballers/footballers which could lead to problems (according to the police). The objections relate to nuisance and suggest that the site is not suitable for the proposal - ie. youth-orientated facilities. I would suggest that the site is a very good one for these purposes: it is over 40 m from the closest of the Belgravia Road properties and 12 m from the backs of the Royal Avenue West properties (the skateboard area is actually over 40 m away). The site in the Rec would be closer to residential properties than this. Despite the fact that the applicant no longer wishes to pursue this application and that it is causing concern for the neighbours, I would recommend that our initial approval is confirmed. If the Planning Committee is minded to consider refusing the application for ease, I would suggest that such a decision may blight the site and constrain any future proposals which the Commissioners may have for it. ## Continuation Sheet APPLICATION No. 03/1966 Page of ON REVIEW (Written) 5 12 03 Reason: There is not in the submitted application sufficient information to enable the Planning Committee to make a proper assessment of the proposals. [Signature]